The 2021 MLB Draft will begin on July 11, 2021. We take a look at Carson Williams, who has proven to be an incredible defender and is capable of swinging a hot bat, too.
Make sure to check out all of our other MLB Draft Profiles.
Carson Williams, Shortstop, Torrey Pines (Calif.)
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 180 lbs.
Age: 18
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
2019: 28G, .292/.366/.458, 21 H, 9 RBI, 3 HR, 7 BB, 11 K
2020: 7G, .320/.393/.600, 8 H, 3 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, 3 K
2021: 31G, .495/.598/.979, 48 H, 35 RBI, 11 HR, 18 BB, 16 K
Scouting Grades
Hit: 55
Power: 45
Run: 50
Field: 55
Throw: 65
Williams is a decent hitter who put on a show with the bat in his hands this past season. He’s also an above-average fielder who possesses an elite arm thanks to his experience as a pitcher. (He has drawn praise on the mound but is expected to fully commit to shortstop going forward.) His power has shown flashes of potential while he’s a tick above average in terms of running.
Strengths
Williams is a really strong hitter with impressive bat speed. He has shown the potential to hit with power, and he should be able to produce more big hits (extra-base hits and home runs) as he gains more strength. He’s been fairly successful in terms of pitch recognition and awareness at the plate, and there are no glaring flaws with his approach, stride, or swing.
Williams’s experience on the mound means that he has an incredible arm. He throws around 95 mph consistently on the mound, so it’s no surprise that he throws fast, hard, and accurate while playing shortstop. Any team that drafts Williams will be able to rest easy knowing that their shortstop will rarely make a throwing error. Not only does he have a good arm, but the 18-year-old is an impressive fielder, too. He has frequently demonstrated an ability to make smooth plays with his glove. He has soft hands, very good range, and an overall solid awareness when making plays in the field.
Weaknesses
Power is the biggest void in Williams’s game. This is certainly something that will naturally improve as he grows, but right now, it’s not a big part of his profile. He hit just five homers over 35 games between 2019 and 2020 and lacks the natural power that could truly elevate his draft stock to a higher level. He did, however, hit 11 homers this past season, so assuming this wasn’t a fluke, it looks like he might be on his way to building more strength and power.
According to MLB Pipeline, “some scouts have voiced concerns about [Williams’s] lack of success against premium pitching.” I don’t have this same concern at nearly the same levels these scouts reportedly do, but it’s at least worth noting considering he’ll be making a big jump from high school ball to the pros.
Pro Comparison: Trea Turner
I’m not in love with any true comparison for Williams, so this certainly isn’t a perfect fit by any means. With that said, Turner is roughly the same size as Williams, and they both bat and throw right-handed. The two are most similar in terms of defensive ability as Turner has been a top shortstop in the league with a solid performance in the field. With that said, it’s hard to compare them offensively. Turner hits nearly .300 on an annual basis, and he’s slashing .310/.360/.487 with 13 homers this year. While the home run rate is within range for Williams, that batting average is fairly lofty.
Instead of scrambling to find a comparison that only partially works, perhaps we can just let Williams pave his own path in the pros.
Draft Projection: Second-Round Pick
If I were a big-league executive, I would be voicing my case for drafting Williams at the end of the first round. However, with some power concerns as well as some scouts not sold on his ability to hit challenging pitching, we’ll settle for a second-round projection here. That’s still fair for the shortstop, who didn’t even make the varsity team until the middle of his sophomore year. Any team that selection Williams will look for him to take that next step offensively while feeling confident that they got one of the most reliable defensive players in the draft.
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Main Image Credit: Joshua R. Gateley/Perfect Game
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